The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Today's C2C reading is about the family disease of alcoholism. Alcoholism is a disease that impacts not only the individual with the disease, but the entire family and everyone who cares about the drinker as well. Often, faulty ways of thinking are passed down for generations.
When we commit to our own recovery in Al-Anon, we are committing ourselves to breaking unhealthy patterns. As we each begin to heal through our AlAnon program work, we find more sanity, more peace, and begin to feel better about ourselves, because we are not playing the same old role in the alcoholic system. Because we change and are no longer playing the same role, our entire family situation begins to change.
The author shares that, ironically, when we focus on our own health and give up worrying about everyone else, we give others the freedom to consider their own recovery.
Today's Reminder: One person's recovery can have a powerful impact on the whole family. When I take care of myself, I may be doing more than I realize to help loved ones who suffer from this family disease.
Today's Quote: "If one person gets well, the whole family situation improves." Living with Sobriety
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I just love the hope in today's reading. I remember wondering how on earth my family situation was going to improve when the other people involved weren't changing. But I realize now that my focus on myself and my own well being forced a change - if I was no longer doing what I had been doing in the past, then they were going to have to make some adjustments. Recovery for me is not a short-term, quick-fix. It is a lifelong journey, and I am thrilled with the changes in my life. I couldn't have predicted years ago that my life would be so much better today, and I continue to see the program at work in my life through small changes and improvements. For me, the self-work is hard, but worthwhile. I make progress clumsily when I try something new, but I try it, and I am becoming more and more confident in myself as I see the positive changes in my own life.
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Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
Good morning Skorpi and thank you for the daily, your service and ESH/share. I too love the hope in today's reading and the quote has been true for my family. Before Al-Anon recovery, I was consistently focused beyond myself. I looked outside me for blame, happiness, peace, etc. What recovery has shown me is when I keep the focus on me instead, my mental and spiritual help improve and I see things differently which leads me to respond differently.
I no longer have to avoid others who are different/difficult. I can instead use boundaries to help me protect my sanity/serenity and detach when necessary. I no longer have to live with giving my power away to others, and my attitude and outlook are 100% within my control/influence. I no longer have bad 'days' - I have great days with disappointments and down moments. I no longer make mountains out of molehills - and the freedom is beyond words humbling.
Today I live in the present - not the past nor the future. Today I just do the next right thing and trust God way more than ever before. I do believe today that it's all about the gratitude and an attitude of gratitude makes a ton of difference for me. Happy Wednesday or Hump Day to all. Way cold here so golf is cancelled through Monday at least. I'm excited to get some projects done around the house! Make it a great day!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
God Morning Skorpi and IAH Love today's reminder and each of your shares This family disease is too difficult to navigate alone. I found the quote is so true. I no longer need to try to change others- just show up with my tools and myself and stop reacting as before . That works
Thanks for your service.
Thank you Skorpi and for all above shares. I love the words "commitment to recovery." Yep, that's become me, and I don't regret one single minute of my program participation . As time goes on, the better I become. I've also made a life-long commitment to Alanon because my damage is so deep.
Skorpi, I found your share so inspiring today. Yes, that's why I'm here too, Lyne
My confidence grows each day that I read the daily, and find some piece to take with me!!
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"The wolf that thrives, is the one you feed." - Cherokee legend
"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields... Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." Mary Oliver
